“I get an allowance?”Helen said.“Is it enough to cover a few weapons?”
“See!You have no act right in you,” Mustang said.
Oscar, leaned back and patting his belly after the delicious cobbler and a scoop of ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon, said, “I hope my allowance is a good one.There’s a lot of work to do on a place like this.I can’t wait to see your workshop.”
Dinner ended with the clearing of the table.Apple offered assistance, but Helen waved him off.Apple joined Mustang and Oscar in the living room, with Mustang offering him a manly catalog filled with specialized tools for hunting, camping, and taking down big game of the four-legged and two-legged kind.Helen provided a cup of settling tea for his stomach after the heavy meal.
Oscar was given a puzzle to work on as he lay on the floor on his belly, his legs under the sprawled-out legs of Mustang, who leaned back on the couch, serving as an oversized pillow for Helen, who read her latest novel.Apple couldn’t help but notice how calm Oscar seemed and he knew this was where the boy belonged.
Apple had to wait out the weekend to see the course of action and if or how Mustang would want to proceed.
****
THE MORNING BEGAN WITHthe hustle and bustle of Oscar and Mustang prepping to head out.Inside his suitcase, Oscar had a backpack with a couple of changes of clothing, socks, undies, and a pair of jammies.He exited the bedroom, backpack ready.
“Uncle Jay, do I need to hit the pantry to grab a couple of snack packs?”he asked.
“Yes, while you’re in there, grab a couple of apples, two bananas, granola bars, and anything else you see, we might think we need.”
“Graham crackers and marshmallows to make S’mores?I don’t like ‘em; they are too sweet for me, but if you want to make ‘em, we can,” Oscar offered.
“Too sweet for my liking as well,” Mustang said, pointing towards the back door.
Oscar followed him outside, along with Bad Apple, who genuinely wanted to see his workshop.The man was not disappointed.On one side were the areas for crafting, and on the other side of the shop were the man toys, including the blue Mustang Shelby GT500.
“Well, this is all kinds of gorgeous,” Apple said.
“That is Shelby,” Mustang said, scowling.“Yeah, I was lacking on the naming thing, but it fits.Oscar, come help me wrap this canoe in a moving blanket.I don’t want it to scuff the roof of my SUV.”
“Yes, Sir,” Oscar said, grabbing the blanket.
“Whoa, shake that out first in case there are friends hiding inside of it,” he cautioned.“Always shake out everything just in case, especially when it is stored outside.”
Oscar did as instructed and helped secure the canoe to the roof.By 11 a.m., they were loaded, and by noon ready to hit the road.Oscar provided a fist bump to Apple and a hug to Helen and happily climbed in the SUV, ready for his man weekend.Apple walked the emptied building with Helen that would be transformed into her workspace as a Technician, seeing the space and curious on the vision.
“I feel special,” he said.
“As in needing assistance to get on the bus special or otherwise?”she inquired, looking down at the floor.
“I’m inside the circle,” he said.“Cherry is your sister.She is married to a Neary.The Archangel is a Neary.Your husband is a Neary.That is a lot of trust.”
“Before the weekend is over, you’re going to learn a great deal more, but you’re inside of the circle because I trust you,” she said.“More importantly, you’re here because my husband trusts you.”
“And there is that,” Apple said.“I don’t know why I expected him to be a homophobe, but how he handled Stephen, even me...”
“You’re a man.He’s dealing with a man,” Helen said.“You also displayed trust in outing yourself to him, but he already knew.What you do when the lights go out is your business.”
“Well, just between you and me, I like the lights on,” he said, laughing.
“Yeah, too soon,” Helen said, shaking her head and looking at her watch.Suddenly, an odd feeling hit her in the gut.She didn’t have a phone on her and said they needed to get to the house.
Apple didn’t question her, but followed along, entering the back door to the sound of the fax machine going off as well as Helen’s phone ringing.It was her Technician phone, which she grabbed along with the fax.
“Go for Cranberry,” she said in the line as she read the fax.She recognized the address.
The voice on the phone said, “How fast can you get there?”
“Twenty, fifteen if I floor it,” Helen said.“All I have is a 9mm and some knives.Apple, what did you pack?”
